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The osprey is making a true comeback in the
Monmouth County area, and if you look, you will be surprised to see
just how strong a comeback.
The
one thing you have to remember is that an osprey like to build its nest
in the highest area available, so if you look at some of your local
cell phone towers, you will see eagle-like nest that are in some cases
four feet in circumference.
These amazing birds feed on all types of prey animals. They are mostly
known for feeding on fish and they are commonly found, when their
numbers are healthy, along shore-lining communities. However, they will
also feed on small mammals, like squirrels and rodents, and they will
even go after ducks.
These birds are truly one of the most beautiful and adaptive birds of
prey known to man and they should be observed from a distance and never
disturbed.
Many
people confuse the osprey with your common seagull, and this is because
they are usually seen from great heights and you cannot appreciate
their great size. The osprey is 24 inches in body length and has a
five-foot wingspan, which in some larger birds, can reach up to six
feet.
The
osprey can weigh up to four and a half pounds and their color is black
and brown on top with a white under-bottom area. When seen in flight,
the bird has a mottled underside are.
This
bird is on the amber species list and this is why they should never be
disturbed and their nesting area left alone.
When
they do nest and have young, they usually lay up to two to four eggs
and the incubation period is 35 to 40 days. The chicks hatch from one
to five days apart and they fledge at about seven to eight weeks of
age. The young fledglings, however, are always found hanging around the
mother until the fall migration.
During the ‘60s and ‘70s, due to the use of DDT and other dangerous
pesticides, the osprey took a hard hit and their numbers were on a
severe decline, however, they are making a comeback.
The
osprey, like many other species, will come back to a nesting place to
have its young each year; this is why you should never disturb its
nesting place and always try to view this beautiful bird from the
distance.
Like
I said previously, this bird mostly feeds on fish, however, I have seen
this species go after squirrels and other small mammals if the
opportunity presents itself.
Ospreys have an opposable toe that can face forward or backward. While
the bird is perched, it usually has three toes in the front and one in
the back. When an osprey catches a fish, its feet and toes are
positioned with the two toes on either side of the fish, one foot ahead
of the other. The head of the fish faces forward in a streamlined
position for transport through the air.
Did you know…
- Other names for the osprey include sea hawks and fish hawks?
- That the osprey can be completely submerged when catching fish?
- That the name osprey come from the Latin word ossifragus meaning “a bone breaker?”
(Buddy Amato lives in Hazlet. He operates Amato’s Karate and Weapons Academy. For more information call (732)671-9555.)
Copyright Buddy Amato
Amato's Goju-ryu
Karate, Nunchaku, Bo-staff, Aikido, Sword, Kendo, Sais, Kick-boxing, Tai-Chi and more
589 Palmer Ave, Keansburg and is the author of Buddys Animal Kingdom, NJ 07734
(732) 671-9555
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